The effect of pentoxifylline on the growth of endometrial implants and leukocytes in rats.

Background: Immune system disturbances have an important role in endometriosis which may lead to infertility. It seems that inflammatory cytokines specially tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-?) which were produced by activated macrophages have an important role in pathology of endometriosis. Based on this theory, anti TNF-? drugs like pentoxifylline (PX) are suggested as new drugs for Endometriosis. Objective: This experimental study has been done on female rats to determine the effect of PX on the endometrial implants and leukocytes in serum. Material and Methods: In proestrous phase, one horn of rat’s bicorn uterus was removed surgically and the endometrium was implanted to different places as follows: subcutaneous, peritoneum and near ovaries. After two months observation, female rats divided into two groups randomly. In treated group (n=10) PX (5mg/kg twice a day) and in control group (n=10), normal saline (same dose) were injected subcutaneously. Then, via second laparotomy and in the same phase of the cycles, the size of implants and the amount of leukocytes in serum were measured. Results: In treated group compared with control, the size of implants was decreased significantly in right subcutaneous (8.05mm vs 13.50mm) p < 0.01, left subcutaneous (7.64 mm vs 14mm) p < 0.01, right ovary (6.64 mm vs 15.22mm) p < 0.001 and left ovary (7.18 mm vs 14.56 mm) p < 0.005. In treated group, the total leukocyte count (5259.54 ± 178.78 vs 15833.33 ± 259.27) p < 0.02 was decreased. The number of esterous cycle was similar in both groups. Conclusion: PX can reduce the size of endometrial implants as well as leukocyte count.